Journal article
Differential effects of Phosphodiesterase 4A5 on cAMP-dependent forms of long-term potentiation
The Journal of physiology, Vol.603(20), pp.6303-6317
10/2025
DOI: 10.1113/JP286801
PMCID: PMC12174576
PMID: 39693518
Abstract
cAMP signalling is critical for memory consolidation and certain forms of long-term potentiation (LTP). Phosphodiesterases (PDEs), enzymes that degrade the second messengers cAMP and cGMP, are highly conserved during evolution and represent a unique set of drug targets, given the involvement of these enzymes in several pathophysiological states including brain disorders. The PDE4 family of cAMP-selective PDEs exert regulatory roles in memory and synaptic plasticity, but the specific roles of distinct PDE4 isoforms in these processes are poorly understood. Building on our previous work demonstrating that spatial and contextual memory deficits were caused by expressing selectively the long isoform of the PDE4A subfamily, PDE4A5, in hippocampal excitatory neurons, we now investigate the effects of PDE4A isoforms on different cAMP-dependent forms of LTP. We found that PDE4A5 impairs long-lasting LTP induced by theta burst stimulation (TBS) while sparing long-lasting LTP induced by spaced four-train stimulation (4 × 100 Hz). This effect requires the unique N-terminus of PDE4A5 and is specific to this long isoform. Targeted overexpression of PDE4A5 in area CA1 is sufficient to impair TBS-LTP, suggesting that cAMP levels in the postsynaptic neuron are critical for TBS-LTP. Our results shed light on the inherent differences among the PDE4A subfamily isoforms, emphasizing the importance of the long isoforms, which have a unique N-terminal region. Advancing our understanding of the function of specific PDE isoforms will pave the way for developing isoform-selective approaches to treat the cognitive deficits that are debilitating aspects of psychiatric, neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. KEY POINTS: Hippocampal overexpression of PDE4A5, but not PDE4A1 or the N-terminus-truncated PDE4A5 (PDE4A5Δ4), selectively impairs long-term potentiation (LTP) induced by theta burst stimulation (TBS-LTP). Expression of PDE4A5 in area CA1 is sufficient to cause deficits in TBS-LTP. Hippocampal overexpression of the PDE4A isoforms PDE4A1 and PDE4A5 does not impair LTP induced by repeated tetanic stimulation at the CA3-CA1 synapses. These results suggest that PDE4A5, through its N-terminus, regulates cAMP pools that are critical for memory consolidation and expression of specific forms of long-lasting synaptic plasticity at CA3-CA1 synapses.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Differential effects of Phosphodiesterase 4A5 on cAMP-dependent forms of long-term potentiation
- Creators
- Satya Murthy Tadinada - University of IowaEmily N Walsh - University of IowaUtsav Mukherjee - University of IowaTed Abel - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- The Journal of physiology, Vol.603(20), pp.6303-6317
- DOI
- 10.1113/JP286801
- PMID
- 39693518
- PMCID
- PMC12174576
- NLM abbreviation
- J Physiol
- ISSN
- 1469-7793
- eISSN
- 1469-7793
- Publisher
- WILEY
- Grant note
- P50 HD 103556 / University of Iowa Hawk IDDRC R01MH117964 / National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 12/18/2024
- Date published
- 10/2025
- Academic Unit
- Molecular Physiology and Biophysics; Psychiatry; Psychological and Brain Sciences; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Neuroscience and Pharmacology; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Record Identifier
- 9984758181602771
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